SAN ANTONIO — A violent crash involving a school bus killed two people, including a child. That 5-year-old was on the bus when it collided with a cement truck head on. After that crash many viewers began asking if that bus had seat belts.
We know the law says we must wear seat belts while riding in a car. But the law can get a little fuzzy when it comes to kids, school buses, and seat belts. That leads us to tonight's claim submitted by KENS 5 viewer Ricardo Santini.
THE QUESTION
Does the Texas state law state that if a school bus has seat belts, all students must wear a seat belt while riding the bus?
THE SOURCES
- Tesi Soliz, Director of Transportation for the Northside ISD
- The Texas Transportation Code
THE ANSWER
True
WHAT WE FOUND
Soliz says if the bus has belts, students better be buckled in. She told us that the Texas Transportation Code..."Requires students riding a bus operated or contract of operation by the district to wear a seatbelt if it's equipped with seatbelts. And then it says that we may implement disciplinary procedures for students that don't wear their seatbelt."
Section. 545.413 of the Texas Transportation Code states the driver of the bus is breaking the law if the driver..."Operates a passenger vehicle that is equipped with safety belts; and allows a child who is younger than 17 years of age and who is not required to be secured in a child passenger safety seat system under Section 545.412(a) to ride in the vehicle without requiring the child to be secured by a safety belt, provided the child is occupying a seat that is equipped with a safety belt."
Soliz says it can be hard to police a full bus of students, especially of different grades.
"Varying in sizes, and to get them all to adhere to that policy before we depart from anywhere, it's definitely challenging, to say the least," Soliz said.
So yes, it is true. Texas state law states if a school bus has seat belts, all student must wear a seat belt while riding the bus.
Soliz also told us some drivers want the kids buckled in, but others say if there's an accident, a young child may not be able to unbuckle themselves.